Studies of the epidemiology of peptic ulcer in a rural community: prevalence and natural history of dyspepsia and peptic ulcer.

Abstract

Underlying any description of the prevalence and natural history of peptic ulceration is the problem of definition. The classification of patients (and much of their treatment) will depend upon the severity and persistence of symptoms, individual tolerance, the experience, work load and interests of the doctor, and the extent and availability of local facilities for diagnosis. These sources of variation could render studies of prevalence and natural history so inaccurate as to be hardly worth making. Yet without some under-FIG. 1. Organization offour related studies. 75 ty